The Maryland State Firemen's Association’s 126th Annual Convention and Conference will be held in Ocean City, Maryland from June 16 to 22, 2018. Ocean City, Maryland has become one of the Mid-Atlantic’s best beach resort and conference centers and has proven to be a record boosting attendance destination for such an event. The Convention and Conference Headquarters will again be the Roland E. Powell Convention Center, located at 4001 Coastal Highway (MD Route 528) and 40th Street. This 182,000 square foot state–of-the-art convention and conference center provides exhibitors with everything needed.

The Maryland State Firemen's Association’s Convention and Conference has become one of the largest attended emergency services events in the nation. It is located within a reasonable drive for one-third of the nation’s population, drawing attendance from across the Mid-Atlantic region.

We invite you to participate in our Annual Convention and Conference by renting exhibit and display space. The Association membership consists of over 365 fire, rescue, and ambulance departments, and more than 200 member ladies auxiliaries. The convention delegates will number around 3,000. Our convention also draws guests from across Delaware, Virginia, and Pennsylvania to one of the largest fire/EMS shows in the Mid-Atlantic region. We expect, with families, friends, and fellow volunteer, career, and other government agency emergency services personnel the total we will bring to Ocean City will approach 35,000; a good reason to plan early.

Our exhibit areas are divided into three areas. Inside exhibit space consists of the Main Exhibit area (Hall A/B) and the Dockside Exhibit Hall (Hall D). Our Main Exhibit Hall (Hall A/B) is divided between vendor booth spaces and an inside apparatus display area. The Dockside Hall (Hall D) will consist of vendor booth spaces only. Our outside exhibit area is for apparatus display only.

Inside exhibitor spaces will be divided into booths by installed draped railings and will have electric power. Single booths will receive one six foot table. Double booths will receive two tables. Extra tables will be available for an additional rental fee through the convention center. Snack bars and concession areas, lounge areas, along with large restroom facilities are provided on all levels.

In addition to exhibiting in our Annual Conference and Convention, we invite our exhibitors to take advantage of an Ocean of Opportunities by participating in other activities such as sponsorship, and advertising for the 126th Annual Convention and Conference. Complete information and explanations of these partnerships are enclosed in this package. We are providing these partnerships to showcase and enhance the corporate image of our partners through an exclusive, yet comprehensive program. These opportunities will include:

Our convention and conference program book is distributed to each member company represented at the convention and is used regularly by member companies as a reference throughout the year. What a better way to show your support and promote your company’s products and services? We ask that you show your support to the MSFA membership while promoting your product by purchasing an advertisement in our annual convention and conference program book. An application for advertising in our convention and conference program book is attached to this information packet.

We also ask for your support of our Annual Golf Outing held in conjunction with our conference and convention. You can show your support by sponsoring a team to participate in the Golf Outing, by sponsoring a hole on the course, by sponsoring the beverage service provided to participants on the golf course, or by providing a door prize to be provided to participants during the luncheon served after the golf outing. Please see the attached application for sponsorship opportunities. Please call Mr. Tom Mattingly (301) 481-7702 for any questions concerning sponsorship of the Golf Outing.

We are also looking for sponsors for our new expanded BINGO program scheduled for Monday evening. The Convention BINGO program provides some outstanding prize awards and can only be made possible with your sponsorship and support. See attached flyers and application for additional information on these events. Please see the attached application for sponsorship opportunities. Please call Mrs. Gloria Lewis (410) 693-0020 for any questions concerning sponsorship of the BINGO event.

We are now able to accept credit card payments for your exhibit space rental. To pay by credit card, go to http://convention.msfa.org and select the button “Vendor Information and Registration”. On the left side is the option for “Exhibit Space Rental Payments”. Follow the payment instructions for the exhibit space type that you are requesting. If you are paying by credit card, we still need to have the paper application submitted for registration. Please note that you are paying by credit card on your application and forward your application per the instructions.

Please note that exhibit spaces are assigned on a first come-first serve basis so submitting your application early is to your advantage. Because of limited space in some areas, not all requests can be filled with your first choice. We will attempt to locate you in a suitable area if unable to accommodate your first choice. Vendors who have been exhibitors with us in past years will have the first option to be assigned to the same spaces as last year if at all possible. Your confirmation for space and validated contract will be forwarded after receipt of your payment and completed forms.

VERYIMPORTANT! To ensure your requests will be honored, all applications must be paid in full by check or credit card when submitted. The deadline for early bird prices is May 1, 2018.

Inside exhibitor and display set-up will be on Sunday, June 17, 2018, from 0800 hours to 1500 hours. Inside and outside apparatus exhibits will be directed to their assigned spaces, from the staging area, beginning at 1100 hours.

Exhibit and display hours will be:Monday, June 19 0900 - 1630 hours

Tuesday, June 20 0900 - 1630 hours (new hours)

Wednesday, June 21 0900 - 1200 hours

Closing time for exhibits on Wednesday will remain at 1200 hours. Our Lease Agreement prohibits vendors from packing up and leaving early. We expect this to be strictly adhered to.

For safety and security purposes, uniformed security officers will be on duty in the exhibits and display areas before and after closing hours. Exhibitors will be provided with Convention Entry and Security Identification Passes, which must be worn by all exhibitors, and will be enforced by the security personnel.

The Compliance Division of the Office of the Comptroller of Maryland has warned us that it expects full compliance from us and our Exhibitors with the Sales Tax laws. Additional information is enclosed and more can be obtained from the Comptroller’s office.

We remind you that parking at the convention center may be limited during period of peak attendance. We ask that you consider arriving early each day to ensure parking availability. Free bus passes for use on the commercial bus service will be available.

We ask that all large trucks and trailers be stored off-site from the convention center once set-up is complete in order to free up parking spaces for our convention attendees. See attached notice regarding Ocean City restrictions on truck and trailer parking. We will have complementary parking permits for those exhibitors requiring one.

The MSFA Convention Committee will be hosting a Vendor Reception for all vendors on Monday evening from 1630 until 1900 hours as additional thanks for your participation in our annual Convention and Conference. This event will feature food, drink, conversation, and fellowship for all vendors with the Convention Committee and Officers of the Association.

Convention regulations do not permit the selling of chances or solicitations for funds on the convention floor. Exhibitors may have private drawings at their booths for items of their choice, so long as applicable law permits (MSFA makes no representation as to legality of any particular scenario).

Ocean City, Maryland has over 9,500 hotel and motel rooms, thousands of condominiums, more than 22,000 restaurant seats, and a large variety of entertainment for your convenience and enjoyment. Information and reservations may be made by calling 1-800-OC-OCEAN. Additional information and materials will accompany your returned application confirmation.

Keep in mind that the weekend of arrival and set-up for the MSFA Convention and Conference coincides with the Ocean City Air Show. This popular event draws large attendance to Ocean City and hotel/motel space may be difficult to obtain. You are encouraged to begin your planning and make lodging arrangements as soon as possible.

The Convention Committee, along with the entire Maryland volunteer fire, rescue, and emergency medical services personnel, along with their families, friends, and counterparts are looking forward to having you participate in our 125th Annual Convention and Conference, and wish you a very successful show.

Questions dealing with exhibit and display space should be directed to